North East business brings solar power to council tenants

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

A North East business is harnessing the power of the sun to win major new contracts.

Zen Eaga Solar, based in Newcastle, is making council homes greener after winning two deals to provide solar hot water to tenants.

Now the firm is hoping to provide similar work for council’s across the country and has its eye on providing solar water panels for thousands of houses being built on the Thames Gateway, near London.

The company, part of energy efficiency provider Eaga Group, is the only UK-based firm that can offer nationwide solar system installation coverage through a network of qualified and trained installers.

It has won up to £100,000 worth of business with Scan Building Services in Dundee and Fife Council.

The firm has signed a deal to install solar water panels in 47 council homes being refurbished in Fife.

In Dundee Zen Eaga Solar is working with Scan Building Services to provide solar water panels for 34 new-build homes for Servite Housing association .

The new solar systems will save the average social housing tenant around £150 from their fuel bills.

Managing Director Steven Caseley said the two organisation’s were making ambitious steps to ensure their housing was as energy efficient as possible.

He said: “These are exciting projects which are introducing solar power to social housing tenants. Feedback from the programme in Fife has found the tenants are already saving money and they are receptive to the new way to heat up their water.

“We now aim to target more local authorities and housing associations to help them to provide more environmentally friendly homes. There is massive potential in this market in Scotland.

“We are also looking at new housing programmes like the Thames Gateway where there are plans for large scale social housing developments.”

Zen Eaga Solar is one of the UK’s largest solar water heating installers and manufacturers.

In the past it has installed solar panels in care homes, swimming pools and private homes.

For more information about solar thermal systems contact Zen Eaga Solar on 0191 247 3814.

Notes to Editor

• Zen Eaga Solar (ZES) is the only UK based company that can offer nationwide solar system installation coverage through a network of qualified and trained installers.
• It is a joint venture between Eaga Partnership, based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Zen International, a Dutch company with over 25 years experience in providing renewable energy solutions.
• Eaga Partnership’s wealth of knowledge and experience has been built up over the last 15 years in the delivery of energy efficiency schemes throughout the UK - particularly through the Defra funded Warm Front programme.
• Zen International has remained a market leader in the delivery of these systems, having installed almost 50,000 across Europe. It has partnerships established in Belgium, France and the Netherlands and is known throughout Northern Europe as a leading renewable energy provider.
• Zen Eaga Solar is part of the Eaga Group. Eaga Group is a family of companies that provide services, products and solutions that address the social, environmental and energy efficiency objectives of Government and the private sector.

Media Contact

James Grugeon
Director of Corporate Affairs
Eaga Group
07730 424410
0191 350 6531